Karl Blischke has held a variety of senior-level, public positions and has more than 20 years of hands-on experience, and overall managerial responsibility, promoting vibrant and prosperous communities through cultural and economic development.
In Pennsylvania, Karl was part of the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, directing its Arts in Education and Pennsylvania Partners in the Arts programs, which provide unprecedented access to arts funding and technical assistance for the creative industry in the commonwealth’s 67 counties.
In Florida, Karl joined the Governor’s Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development, where he was responsible for promoting job creation and community development in the state’s rural communities, and directing programs aimed at increasing access to capital for small and minority-owned businesses. Following this work, Karl was named Director of Strategic Business Development for the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, focusing on the state’s efforts to diversify its economy and business attraction, expansion and retention.
In early 2018, Karl returned to the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts to serve as Executive Director. In 2019, Karl spearheaded the agency’s development and adoption of its current strategic plan, which has led to the development of a new suite of funding programs focused on supporting arts-based community and economic development, cross-sector partnerships, and creative entrepreneurship.
